Mobile carriers



W. H. FRICK May 6, 1958 MOBILE CARRIERS Filed Apfil 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. BY WM. H FR/CK May 6', 1958 w. H. FRlcK MOBILE CARRIERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1952 INVENTOR. BY WM. H Fk/cK ATTORNEY United States PatentO MOBILE CARRIERS William H. Frick, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor 16 w. H.

, Fric k Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 23, 1952, Serial No. 283,920

2 Claims. (Cl. 280-4734) This invention pertains to mobile carriers of a type suitable for transporting, displaying and storing articles in general and is particularly suitable in the handling of dishes, glasses, silver ware, trays, and kitchen ware in kitchens and restaurants and also useful in respect to foods and cans and could be advantageously used in food markets and stores generally for handling and displaying merchandise.

Objects of the invention are the provision of a carrier of the character described which is simple of construction and therefore comparatively cheap of manufacture; a carrier which is sturdy of construction and willrequire little up-keep; and a carrier which embodies a chassis of novel construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chassis for a carrier of the character described, which can be quickly and easily expanded when a larger carrier is desired.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a carrier of the character described which is constructed and arranged to guard against accidental displacement of articles from the carrier.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be ascertained and understood from the fol lowing description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

I Fig. 1 is a perspective view of. a carrier embodyingthe inventive concept.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view through the chassis used in most of the forms of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another form of carrier a portion of the view being broken away and shown in ver tical section.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further form of carrier.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a still further form of carrier.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of still another form of carner.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view illustrating the manner of attaching a bumper to the carrier illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective .view of another form of carrier.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view on' the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detailed vertical sectional view illustrating the manner of attaching a bumper to the carrier illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. s

The carriers are susceptible of a wide range of uses but are particularly well suited for use between dishwashing and serving departments of hotels, restaurants, hospital and like establishments. in such establishments use of the carrier will result in the saving of time and labor and will make the work of the employees easier. China and glassware breakage will be reduced and work will be speeded up.

In all forms of the invention, with the exception of those illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 the basic chassis is the same and the following description thereof applies to the carriers illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. I

The chassis comprises two end frames designated as ice each comprises a one piece tubular element bent to have spaced apart vertical legs 1 and 2 inclined toward one another to position their lower ends further apart than are their upper ends. A cross rod or tube 3 interconnects the upper ends of the legs. It will be seen that the frame is of an inverted U-shape. The lower end of each leg is bent inwardly to provide a short horizontally disposed arm, one 4 of which is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. A pair of hollow tubular base members C and D, see Figs. 2 and 4, telescopically receive the arms of oppositely positioned legs of the frames A and B- Wheels 5, 6, 7, 8 are positioned below the four corners of the chassis. These wheels are carried by casters 9,- 10, 11, and 12 which are preferably swively mounted in the chassis. Each caster pin or shaft 13 extends through aframe arm and the base member. surrounding it and has its upper protruding end 14 grooved, as at 15, to receive a removable resilient split ring 16. A nut, cotter-key, or like fastening means could be substituted for the split ring. The caster shafts secure the base members and the end frames together and hold and the end frames in upright positions. caster shafts for this purpose has been found desirable but thecaster shaft means of securement could be eliminated and separate bolts, pins or the like could be substituted. The wheels are preferably provided with rubber tires 17. The crossrods 3 and upper ends of the frame legs provide a convenient handle means for pushing and pulling the carrier about as desired. Accurate and easy positioning of the carrier is possible due to the swive mountings of the wheels. 4

The carriers are provided with platforms or shelves and the exact character and disposition of these vary in accordance with the particular merchandise the carrier is to transport or display.

The carrier of Fig. 1 is particularly designed to handle on its upper platform high stacks of either dirty or newly washed dishes while other articles can be placed on its tance between the chassis end frames. The platform backs entireties by A and. B. These vframes are identical and are disposed at right angles to the platforms so that the backs are disposed at an inclination to the vertical. The outer platform ends 20 and 21 extend outwardly beyond the end frame legs. The platforms F and G are supported on cross-bars 22 extending between the legs of each end frame and are preferably positioned approximately half way between-the floor and the top cross rods of the frames which places the platforms approximately 20 inches above the floor. These cross bars add rigidity to the carrier.

Stacked dishes on the upper platforms are caused to lean and rest against the platform backs. The vertically extending legs of the chassis hold the stacked dishes against endwise displacement from the platforms. Stacked dishes are found to ride firmly and securely and dishes can -be stacked from end to end of the platforms and the stacks can safelyhextend to the tops .of the platform backs.- Dishes can be quickly and easily loaded on and removed from the platforms.

The chassis of the carrierillustrated in Fig. .3 is identical to .that heretofore described and carries similar designating numerals and characters. This carrier differs in respect to its upper platform and its manner of support- The lower platform E' is identical to the previously described platform E. The upper platform H is a fiat rectangular member of similar size and configuration to Use of the as es o 3 v the. platform. .Two cross panels .23 and .25 extend across the legs of the end frames. The platform H is illustrated as resting on the tops thereof but these panels areuat their lower ends provided with oppositely positioned channelways .251 and .26, forthe reception of the platform H or, if desired, the receptionof a third platformora tray 101' rack. The cross panels add rigidity to the carrier in addition to permitting variable positioning of .the platform H orthe application of an additional platformto the carrier.

Fig. 4 illustrates a carrier differing from but similar to thecarrier of Fig. 3 .and utilizing the previouslydescribcd chassis. Panels J and K extend across the legs of .the chassis end frames A.and."B.. These panels extend from the tops of the .chassis base members-C and D to a point approximatelyhalf way up the lengths of the .end frame legs. These tops arerbent inwardly. as at 2'7' and 'ZSto form flanges for supporting a platform or .traysor racks.

Below their tops thepanels are provided .withoppositely.

positely positioned platform supporting fianges '31 and 32. No platforms areillu strated on the carrier butriitwill be understood that three or less platforms, trays or racks may be used and that adjustability of their' heightwabove the floor is provided as well as adjustability of distance between platforms so as'to accommodate articles of dif-. ferent heights or stacks-of difierent'heights.

The carrier of Fig. 5 does not utilize'the chassishereinbefore described. -A base cross "element 33 interconnects the wheels 34-and 35 which-are swivelly connected thereto. A similar element, not shown, connects the other two wheels at the other corners of'the carrier. Vertical walls L and 'M, similar to the previously described walls J and K, have their lower ends suitably secured to the ends of the base cross elements-and 'have their upper ends inturned to receive and support an article supporting platform 36. Intermediate. their; lengths these walls interiorly are provided with oppositely-positioned longitudinal flanges -37 -and 38 for'the reception of a second platform, a tray or rack or if desired for'the reception of the platform 36 or the reception of abottom platform 38 which could be elevated-if desired.

The carrier illustrated in'Fig. 6 isparticularly well adapted for transporting stacked dish trays. The chassis N has an invertedU-shaped vertically-extending end portion composed of spaced-apart legs 39 and 40 the upper endsof which are interconnected by a crossrod '41 which serves well as a handle. The lower ends ofthese legs are bent as at 42 and 43 andprovide-horizdntally disposed arms, not'shown,-which telescope the base elements 44 and 45 upon which is disposed theart-icllecarrying platform 46. This carrier, like the othcrs described, has .wheels at its four- COIfllCl'Sythl'Cfi of whichare visible and are designated at-47, 48'and '49. These whcels arc preferably each swively'secured to its respecti've base element as at 51. V

The chassis construction illustrated and described is advantageous as its simplicity of construction-contributes to low cost production and low cost assembly. By substitution of longer or shorter cross base elements the length of the chassis can'be varied to suit specific conditions. The same supporting wheels can-be used with whatever length base .cross element used in the chassis. It will be understood of :course that with; longer or shorter chassis longer or shorter platforms will beutilized.

The carrier illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings lacks the tubular uprights whichform handles for the other carriers. It is intended that the upper. platform of this carrier be provided with a. series of metal racks for glasses or cups and these, racks may be used as ahandle for pushing and, pulling this particular carrier about as desired. i

The provision of rubber bumpers for the carriers thus far desgjbed has been found desirable but illustration of a bumper is made only wi tli rhe'earrier of FigidfTlie manner in which the bumper is secured to this carrier can be followed with respect to the other carriers. Each edge of the platform E is provided along its under side with a strip one of which, 55, appears'in Figs. 3 and 7.

This strip. has its ends 56 and 57 extending beyond the endso f'the platform. The bumper P is rubber and covers the strip and is resiliently secured thereto by having its ends 58 and 59 extending around and behind the ends 56 and 57 of the strip. The bumper has enough thickness to extend outwardly beyond the edge of the platform with which it is associated.

r If desired bumpers can be associated with each of the platforms of a carrier to afford even greater protection.

It will be evident thatthe carrier handles can be quickly removedand replaced, and can be omitted altogether if desiredas is the casein the carrier of Fig. 5.

The described chassis isnot used with. the, carrierof Fig. 8. Here a pair of stringers 60 and 61,are provided at their ends with wheels on 1 casters 62, 63 and 64. End boards.65 and. 66 connect the ends of the stringers. Two back boards 67 and .68, each disposed at an inclination to the vertical extend between the end boards at each of its bottoms is providedwith a platform. These platforms 69 and 70 are disposed at an inclination to.the horizontal and slantdownwardly and inwardly. A top board .71.strcngthens thecarrier. Dishes or other articles on the. platforms rest against the back and end boards.

A rubber bumper Q is secured by screws 72 or thelike to the. outer faces of the stringers and extends outwardly beyond the edges. of the platforms. The bumper is preferably hollow .and a metallic plate 73 extends through it.

Specific departures from the constructions illustrated and described can be made without departing from the inventive concept and the invention is accordingly to be limited only by the scope of the hereinafter following claims.

What I claim is:

.1. A mobile carrier comprising, a pair of end frames each being of an inverted U-shape and consisting of a pair ofvertically extending spaced apart legs and'a cross member interconnecting theupper ends of the legs,.the lower end of each frame leg being bent inwardly to. form horizontally disposed short arms, a pair of. hollow tubular base members one being disposed; at each side of the carrier and each in its ends telescopically receivingthe int-urned arms of a pair of frame legs, a wheel. below each end of each basemember and provided with a caster having a shaft extending through the frame memberland the-inturned frame armtherein, the upper ends ofsaid caster shafts above the frame members being provided with detachable means for securing said shafts against longitudinal displacement, and an article carryingand supporting platform disposed between the endlframes and supported on the legs thereof.

2. 'A construction as defined in claim.1 wherein, the

upper ends of the caster shafts above the frame members areprovided with a circumferential groove, and the detachablemeans securing said shafts against longitudinal displacement'comprises resilient split rings disposed in said grooves.

.References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

